London Tickets
Warner Bros. Studio London
4.5(49.7K Ratings)

Visit Platform 9¾™ at King’s Cross Station London

Included with Warner Bros. Studio London tickets

Timings

RECOMMENDED DURATION

4 hours

king's cross station harry potter walking tour

Platform 9¾ is where Harry boards the Hogwarts Express each year, marking the start of his magical journey. Though not a real platform, King’s Cross Station honors the story with a special trolley installation between Platforms 9 and 10. Fans visit to pose with the half-vanished trolley, just as if they were headed to Hogwarts themselves, making it one of London’s most photographed Harry Potter spots.

Highlights of the Harry Potter King’s Cross Station

harry potter king's cross station

Trolley Wall

You will find the Platform 9¾ trolley wall near the Harry Potter shop, in the Western departures concourse at King’s Cross Station. It is clearly marked and easy to access without a train ticket. A professional photographer is often on-site, though you can also take your own pictures. Expect waiting times during busy hours, especially in summer or around school holidays.

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King's Cross Station exterior with iconic clock tower in London.

Harry Potter shop

Located next to the trolley wall, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ offers official merchandise including house robes, wands, plush toys, and collectibles. The store is themed like Ollivanders and provides a strong retail experience for fans. It is a great place to pick up souvenirs before or after visiting the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London.

Diagon Alley

Harry Potter filming connections at King’s Cross Station

King’s Cross Station features in several Harry Potter films, but not exactly as shown in the books. Due to platform design, early scenes with the Hogwarts Express were filmed between platforms 4 and 5. The station’s arched roof and busy concourse appear briefly, but the exterior scenes in Chamber of Secrets were filmed outside St Pancras, chosen for its more dramatic architecture. The full Platform 9 3⁄4 set, including the train and platform, was later built inside Warner Bros. Studio for more controlled filming conditions.

Recreation of King’s Cross Station at Warner Bros Studio in London

Harry Potter film set tour in London featuring iconic locations and props.

The King’s Cross section of the Studio Tour features the full Platform 9¾ set used in the later Harry Potter films. Built for filming at Leavesden Studios, it includes the life-sized Hogwarts Express and accurate replicas of key props. While King’s Cross Station appears briefly in early movies, most scenes were recreated on this set, allowing for detailed and consistent production throughout the series. You can walk through the carriages and take photos, offering a different experience from the real-life location.

How to reach the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio from King's Cross Station?

  • Why choose: Fastest route
  • Duration: 60-mins

Start at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Take the official shuttle bus from the Studio entrance to Watford Junction, which takes approximately 15 minutes. From Watford Junction, board a direct train to London Euston, with a journey time of about 20 minutes. From Euston, take the Underground (Northern or Victoria Line) to King’s Cross Station, which takes around 10 minutes. Total journey time is usually about 1 hour, depending on connections.

  • Why choose: Cheapest
  • Duration: 40-45 mins

Start at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Take the official shuttle bus to Watford Junction, which takes about 15 minutes. A small shuttle fee applies. From Watford Junction, board a direct train to London Euston, with a journey time of around 20 minutes. From Euston, take the Northern Line to King’s Cross St. Pancras Underground Station, which takes about 2 minutes, or walk in approximately 10 minutes.

  • Why choose: Convenient
  • Duration: 40-45 mins

From Warner Bros. Studio Tour, head toward the Hunton Bridge roundabout and join the A41 toward London. Merge onto the M1 southbound at Junction 5 and continue for about 24 kms. Exit near Pancras Road to enter central London. The route covers roughly 30 miles and typically takes 30 to 40 minutes, though traffic may extend travel time.

Tips for potterheads visiting King’s Cross Station

  • If you want a professional photo at the trolley wall, arrive before 9 am. Staff usually appear by then and queues are shorter before the shop fully opens.
  • The queue for the trolley photo operates separately from general station crowds, so don’t worry about navigating through busy train traffic. It’s tucked to the side near the Harry Potter shop.
  • There are house scarves available at the photo spot for free use during your turn. You do not need to bring your own or buy one in advance.
  • If you’re planning to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour the same day, aim to visit King’s Cross early or after the tour to avoid time pressure and crowds.
  • The station has free public toilets, but they’re not near the trolley photo zone. Use the ones by the main concourse before queueing to avoid losing your spot.
  • Google Maps may show the Harry Potter trolley spot as inside the ticketed platform area. It’s actually in the open concourse near the Harry Potter shop, free to access.

Nearby Harry Potter Spots

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

Distance: 50 m away from the station

Used as the exterior for King’s Cross Station in Chamber of Secrets, this Victorian hotel appears in the scene where the Weasleys’ flying car takes off. Its grand Gothic architecture provided a more cinematic backdrop than the actual station.

Australia House

Distance: 2.8 km away from the station

The interior of Australia House on Strand served as the filming location for Gringotts Wizarding Bank in the first film. Its marble columns, chandeliers, and ornate detailing were used for scenes inside the goblin-run wizarding bank.

Reptile House

Distance: 2.8 km away from the station

Located in the London Zoo, the Reptile House is where Harry first speaks Parseltongue in Philosopher’s Stone. The scene was filmed next to the enclosure of a black mamba, though a Burmese python is featured in the story.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Harry Potter King’s Cross Station

Is the Platform 9 ¾ trolley wall located inside the ticketed train area?

No, the trolley wall photo spot is in the main concourse next to the Harry Potter shop. You don’t need a train ticket to access it.

Can I visit King’s Cross Station after doing the Studio Tour’s Platform 9¾ set?

Yes, many fans visit both. The Studio Tour has the full set and train carriages, while King’s Cross offers the real-world location and photo spot.

Do the props at King’s Cross Station come from the actual films?

No, the trolley wall is a replica for photo purposes. The train, carriages, and many props used in filming are part of the Studio Tour.

Is there a time limit for photos at the Platform 9¾ trolley wall?

Staff keep the line moving, but you're allowed a quick personal photo and one taken by the official photographer. You can’t pose multiple times per visit.

Does the Harry Potter shop at King’s Cross sell the same items as the Studio Tour shop?

Not entirely. Some items overlap, but both locations have exclusive merchandise. The King’s Cross shop often carries travel-themed and station-specific collectibles.

Is there any cost involved in visiting the trolley wall or shop?

No, visiting both is free. You’ll only pay if you purchase a professional photo or buy merchandise inside the shop.

Is it possible to access the exact filming platform inside the real King’s Cross Station?

No, the actual train platforms are behind ticket barriers. Some scenes were filmed between Platforms 4 and 5, but access is for ticketed passengers only.

Can I use King’s Cross Station as a starting point to reach the Studio Tour?

Yes. Travel to Euston by Underground or walking, then take a direct train to Watford Junction. From there, use the official Studio shuttle bus.

Is the King’s Cross trolley wall accessible for visitors with mobility issues?

Yes, the photo spot and shop are on the ground floor of the main concourse, with step-free access and wide walkways for wheelchairs or strollers.

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